Nathan Futrelle, a small store driver at Coca‑Cola UNITED, one of the Coca‑Cola system’s bottling partners, began his career through a training program that prepared him to become a commercial driver. For Victor Ragland, Vice President of Coca‑Cola UNITED’s East Region, it started more than three decades ago as a merchandiser and led to overseeing one of the company’s largest divisions.

Together, their experiences show how training, support and the ability to grow within the business can create long-term career opportunities.

After graduating in 2024, Nathan was looking for stability after working in a role with inconsistent hours and income. He wanted something more reliable, where he could build a career. That search led him to Coca‑Cola UNITED and a commercial driver’s license (CDL) program through Athens Technical College, part of the Technical College System of Georgia.

Supported by Coca‑Cola UNITED as part of its workforce development efforts, the program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training, covering safety procedures, pre-trip inspections and maneuvering large vehicles to prepare participants for real-world driving. At a time when demand for qualified drivers continues to grow, programs like this help build a pipeline of trained talent for Coca‑Cola UNITED and other businesses across Georgia. 

For Nathan, the program allowed him to build confidence quickly and made his transition into the role feel manageable. He joined Coca‑Cola UNITED in November 2025 and now works as a small store relief driver, stepping in on routes as needed. His role includes driving, unloading and stocking products, along with interacting directly with retailers, giving him exposure to different stores and communities across his route.

“It’s nice to get out and see different places and stores every day,” Nathan said. “I’m a part of something that has been around forever, and I am really proud of that.”

For Nathan, the work environment at Coca‑Cola UNITED has been just as important as the role itself. He describes it as supportive and team-oriented, where colleagues are quick to step in and help when needed. That kind of culture is one reason many employees build long-term careers within the Coca‑Cola system.

Victor Ragland is one example. He began his career in 1988 as a part-time merchandiser in Oxford, Alabama. Early on, he was encouraged to think about his future, a moment that helped shape his long-term path within the company.

“I told him I wanted his job,” Victor said, reflecting on a conversation with a leader early in his career. “Over time I worked my way up and eventually did.”

Today, Victor oversees more than 3,000 employees in Coca‑Cola UNITED’s East Region. His journey across sales, operations and leadership roles reflects a broader pattern within the system: employees can move across roles and build careers.

Nathan’s path into commercial driving is one example of how the Coca‑Cola system invests in building careers from the ground up. In one year, the system invests $31 million in workforce development and tuition reimbursement, delivering 1.5 million hours of training to more than 70,000 employees. Programs like the CDL pathway create entry points into stable roles, while ongoing training helps employees continue to grow in their careers.
 

Those investments contribute to something bigger. The Coca‑Cola system is not just a part of the American economy, it strengthens it – supporting nearly 1 million jobs and contributing $85 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product in one year.  
 

Victor sees this impact firsthand in Atlanta, where The Coca‑Cola Company is headquartered and has deep roots.
 

“There’s pride that comes with being in Atlanta,” he said. “It’s the home of Coca‑Cola, and we take that responsibility seriously. We’re also a large-scale employer and an economic multiplier. We work with local vendors and suppliers every day, and their success is tied directly to ours.”

For Nathan, the next step is to work his way up in the company, earning his own route and building relationships with the same stores each week. For Victor, it’s about making sure the next generation has the same chance to build long-term careers like his.
 

To continue supporting people like Nathan and Victor, through 2030, Coca‑Cola will invest over $10 billion in the U.S. to strengthen domestic operations, create jobs and support continued American economic growth.